In a disturbing incident in Fox Lake, Illinois, police reported that an 11-year-old boy fled his apartment in just his underwear amid heavy rain on Friday morning. The child sought refuge after allegedly suffering severe abuse at the hands of his mother.

A vigilant local business owner witnessed the boy’s distress and promptly alerted the authorities. Upon investigation, detectives uncovered a troubling history of prolonged violence that the child had reportedly endured over several years.

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“The boy had numerous abrasions, welts, and both fresh and old bruises. There was blood on his face, particularly around his mouth, as a result of being struck. Additionally, dish soap had been poured over him, including in his mouth and ears,” explained Sergeant Rick Howell of the Fox Lake Police Department.

In connection with the case, 34-year-old Pricilla Marshall and 35-year-old Cody Marion were detained and are currently held in Lake County Jail. Marion is facing charges including aggravated battery, domestic battery, and child endangerment.

The abuse came to light when the young boy dashed into a local flower shop seeking help. “An employee informed us that the boy, clad only in his underwear and with visible injuries, had entered the store claiming that his mother was abusing him,” Sergeant Howell recounted.

“The employee told us an 11-year-old boy had come in, asking for help. He was only in his underwear with blood on his face, bruises, scratches on his body, saying that his mother was abusing him,” Howell said.

Upon going to the family’s home, which is an apartment in the 30-block of East Grand Avenue, around the corner from the business in downtown Fox Lake, police said they found two more children, 1-year-old and 2-year-old girls. Two more boys, 7 and 12, were at school.

“He’s been the brunt of the abuse. None of the other siblings that we’ve been able to find have been abused at all. Physical abuse from hitting striking with closed fists, open hand, extension cords, kitchen utensils like spatulas, things like that,” Howell said. “It was pretty horrific hearing the children talking a bout it when they were being interviewed.”

The children were all taken into protective custody and are now staying with other relatives.

“When she’s in a rage, she would leave that front door. You can see it from here. She’d leave that door open. You could hear her screaming. My window is there second floor. I can hear her yelling at them kids,” said neighbor Daniel Bitterman.

While the Marion’s detention hearing was held Monday, Marshall is up for hers on Tuesday afternoon.